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Thursday, March 27, 2008

I have never spent so much time knitting a few rows and frogging completely...over and over...for 3 hours one afternoon, then 2 more hours that evening...unresolved. The net day my brain and needles reconnected and all is well. Have a listen to the latest episode for more details.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

40 minutes more. I just finished knitting the project for Interweave Felts...and now I have just put it in the washer...and I am so afraid it won't work out how I want it to. The thinkg with felting is it is not an exact science. The thing with this project is the amazing yarn that we agreed upon my using is vastly different then what I created the original project in. I had to do multiple swatches and wanted to do another but was concerned that I wouldn't have enough left for the actual project. I know this sounds weird but sometimes when I am designing and doing the knitting part, I get these little feelings that come out of nowhere i.e. "this is the last row" or "add another few sts."...almost like voices "if you build it they will come" kind of voices. I did have some of that while knitting this project but there is just this unkwn factor of it still being an unfamiliar yarn to me and that i never actually knit a swatch with the exact dimensions but rather guessed form what I did and didn't like on the swatches as to how to proceed. 34 minutes more.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Maybe because I am still in process creating project #2 for Interweave. I realize as I am doing this, I need to continually be sketching (which I am) and casting on for new designs. It needs to be an ongoing thing.

I am so wanting to continue the Central Park Hoodie, and alse the Drops Eskimo pattern keeps calling to me. I can not have anything else on the needles...I just don't think I am a sweater knitter during this design phase in my life. It pretty much takes up all my time...and I am fine with it on the one hand, however feel somehow out of it in the Circle as I don't have anthing to talk about but bags bags bags. I do keep up with everything everyone is doing and I do know alot of what is out there...jsut not knitting it myself.

I have a bunch of bag ideas......and I want to get a solid newbunch of patterns up and for sale!

I know spring is here when I see an abundance of those fluffy little white tails hopping away from me as I make my way back to the outdoors. When it warms up outside it means I can size down to a small on the go bag which can be worn on my wrist, or thrown in my ever present big bag if need be. What shouts springtime more then bright pink, green and white? About the sweet and silly pom-poms, well, spring makes me feel giddy. The bunnies aren’t the only ones showing there tails in the sun.

The two Pom–poms are made in Lamb’s Pride Bulky yarn.You will need approximately one yard of white for bunny’s tail, and one yard of green for bag closure pom-pom.

1set US # 13/9mm double pointed needles

1set US # 13/9mm straight needles

Tapestry needle for embroidery and assembly

1 red seed bead for bunny eye (optional)

Small Pom-Pom Maker to make 1-2 inch pom-pom or cut cardboard pieces into circles to create your own pom-pom maker

Scissors

GAUGE

10sts/ 15 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (un-felted)

Exact gauge is not important for this pattern

PATTERN NOTES

Intarsiaknitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colors

i-cord When working I-cord, work is not turned. Instead of turning the work

around to work back on the WS, slide all sts to the other end of the needle, switch the needle back to your left hand, bring the yarn around the back of the work, and start knitting the sts again. After the first 2 sts, give the yarn a sharp tug.Repeat this row to form I-cord. After a few rows, the work will begin to form a tube.

kfb knit into the front andback of the same stitch. (This gives you 2sts.)

m1make one stitch by inserting left needle, from front to back, under the horizontal strand between last stitch worked and next stitch on left hand needle, forming a loop on the needle, knit through the back of this loop.

Bag is worked from; the small loop closure down the front of bag following colorwork Bunny Chart from the top of chart, Row 20 (then 19,18, 17 and so on) down to row 1, then up the front of bag. Embroidery details are done before felting. Next bag is assembled and wrist strap is knit.Bag is then felted. Pom-poms are added after bag is felted.

PATTERN

With double pointed needle and [MC] CO 2 sts. and i-cord for 3 inches (10 rows) to create loop closure. Leave i-cord on needle. With other double pointed needle pick up 2 stitches from the first row of the i-cord (Figure 1 )

The picked up stitches will initially be very tight however they will loosen up as soon as you knit across them. Connect those two sets of stitches by knitting the 2 stitches of your left hand needle onto the right hand needle keeping tension as even as possible (4sts.).

Next row: Purl back

You are now ready to begin your increases.

Row 1: *kfb, m1*; repeat from*-* across row, end kfb (11 sts)

Row 2: Purl back

Row 3: K1, kfb in next 9 sts, last stitch k1 (20 sts)

Row 4: Purl back

Switch to straight needles and continuing in Stockinette Stitch follow Colorwork Bunny Chart (see pattern notes regarding Colorwork Chart) from the TOP DOWN (Row 22, the 21,20, etc.) for the next 22 rows

Next: Continue in Stockinette Stitch for 7 inches ending with a purl row.

Next row :On the right or knit side , bind off all stitches.

Side seams

With right sides facing and MC sew sides seams together as close to edge as possible with whip stitch.

Wrist strap

Turn bag so right side is out. Pick up 3 stitches as evenly as possible directly over side seam where bag is seamed together. I-cord those 3 stitches for 14 inches (40 rows). Bind off and sew that end onto other side of bag over other side seam so strap is evenly attached.

FINISHING

Create 2 small(1-2 inch) pom-poms, one in white and one in green. Pom-Poms do not get felted so do not attach pom-poms until after bag is felted.

With tapestry needle and [A] work chain stitch around bunny adding an extra stitch to accent bunny nose profile.

Sew seed bead in for bunny eye if desired

Felt bag

Place your finished bag inside a zippered pillow case (not laundry mesh bag), add an old pair of rubber flip-flops or jeans (for extra agitation)to washing machine set on hottest temperature. Use a little laundry soap. Turn machine on and it will do the felting for you. If you are new to felting run machine on short cycle (15-30 minutes) and check to see felting progress. Felt the bag until it's the size and texture you desire. Under-felting leaves stitch definition and bag will be floppy with knit-like structure. Over-felting leaves bag over shrunken and destroyed so watch your progress until you understand how felting works in your machine.

When finished felting stuff with old plastic grocery bags to desired shape and air dry.

Sew on pom-pom bunny tail smack dap in the middle of bunny backside. Sew on closure pom-pom 1 inch below top of bag back so closure loops fits nicely over it.

ABOUT THE DESIGNERSharon knits, designs, podcasts and parents seven children just outside of Chicago. You can contact her, find more designs and purse kits at

SheKnitsforKnitters.comIf you would like an earful of Sharon to keep you company while you knit go to http://she-knits.mypodcast

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

I had such a nice talk with such a nice woman in Japan....THANK YOU Kathleen!!

Select someone you think could use a litlle (not so little) Omiyage! The thread has been started in Ravelry to place your nominee in there. In the end it will be the luck of the draw!

I am done knitting project #1 for Interweave yeah! I was told that the yarn that gave me the yarngasm just by the look of it on the computer screen shall arrive tomorrow ...I am beyond excited ...the best anticipation eva!

Have you tried the blocking puzzle from Coco knits? DO you think its good compared to big solid cumbersome well demarcated blocking board?

Thursday, March 13, 2008

I am having a hard time coming up with a cohesive plan for myself. I realize I don't like to plan my personal knitting...what little of it ther is...because then I feel so guilty when I don't get to it...which I really don't lately!

Am still giddy while I am knitting the secret Intereweave Knits project with the lovely and generous yarns they sent. Am still waiting for the unber amazing yarn for the IK Felts project. The contracts came today. I feel so priviledged that I get to be part of the new and more humane to designers contract! Thank you Annie Modesitt and thank you IK!

Monday, March 10, 2008

that I am sitting her knitting yarn that was picked out by Eunny...to knit for Interweave....this is a dream come true. I hope to be so worthy. This project for IK Fall 08' is cute, and something special, but not my typical pattern.....it makes me nervous that people can't wait to see it because I think some of things I have already designed are far more spectacular then this and that they will somehow be disappointed. Well, spectacular is kind of a big word...but this design is a quiet sweet project .....does this make sense. Its not like a ba-bammmmmm...more like an awwwwwww. Wish I could show pictures ...but I can't ;) When I designed this last year, a artist told me I should enter it into a contest as she was sure I would earn press. I wasn't sure what she was talking about, but I did save it and never posted a picture of it and now am so glad I saved it for something ...and the something was getting published!

Thursday, March 6, 2008

I Finally finished the two gigando Melly Bags and just love it in gray and pink.

I keep trying to out grow my love for light pink, but alas at 50 I still lurve it!

Here is the blog with the post about the variegated sweater I spoke about.

I finished the bag part of another customer Dream Floral and was stunned into horrified silence when I held it up and noticd that I had oriented it wrongly. I like most of the pattern to be on the front with a little wrapped around one side and a bit more wrapped around to the back on the other side. I did the whole thing wrapping one side. My LYS owner made the best suggestion when she said , rip and re-do the bottom. I cut off the bottom and picked up all the stitches and am going to make a mitered bottom.

Should be.....

Hey, maybe after cutting off the bottom of this I will lose all fear of steeking!

I don't care for varigated yarn and lace together unless the varigated yarn is very subtle and the lace pattern is very plain. Seriously...whats the point? Seems to me to show off lace at its best a solid or subtley hued yarn is in order. I also think a colorful yarn and cables don't make sense either I think in the end one need be very careful on multicolored yarn altogether. It can be stunning, such as Koigu creations (which I have never done) or hideous as witnessed below. Doesn't this look plain ugly?

Saturday, March 1, 2008

New podcast is up...Epiode #43 Is this happening... Find it on i-tunes uner She-knits Podcast or find it HERE

My exciting news is out! Sheknits is being published not only in Interweave Knits 08' but in Interweave Knits Felting Issue as well! I still can't believe it. I'm more the thrilled. Now I have to learn how to develop an additional persona called confident and assertive Sheknits. I need to learn how to market myself. This is my breakthrough moment...right? So I need to jump on it...and put on my big girl panties and figure it out and and and.

Suggestions?

I am knitting on the same custom orders, having finished one Melly Bag which is currently still in the wash. I just finished another bag that I am going to submit...it really interesting and I've not seen anything like it before. I have Central Park Hoodie on the needles awaiting some attention. I have a silk scarf and Wicked languishing on some needles.